7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Hike

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Machame Gate – Machame Camp

After breakfast, your adventure to the “Roof of Africa” will begin. You will drive for about two hours to reach the Machame Gate, where your hike will commence after completing the necessary registrations.

From the park gate, we will walk through the rainforest on a winding trail that ascends a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. We will continue for a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.
This is where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Day Coverage:
• Hiking Distance: 11 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Zone: Rainforest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Machame Camp – Shira Camp 2

After breakfast, we will leave the glades of the rainforest and continue along an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep, rocky ridge.

The route now turns west, following a river gorge until we reach the Shira campsite in the mid-afternoon. At the camp, you will enjoy lunch and have time to relax before the evening.
You can enjoy great views of Kibo Peak from New Shira Camp at sunset. Dinner will be served before you settle in the for the night.

Day Coverage:
• Hiking Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Zone: Rainforest/Low Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

New Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

Today’s journey is long and challenging, taking about 5-6 hours to complete. The route turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower.

Upon arrival at Lava Tower, lunch will be served before we continue another two-hours to Barranco Camp.

Although we end the day at roughly the same elevation as when we began, this period is crucial for acclimatization, helping your body prepare for summit day. Dinner will be served before you settle in the for the night.

Day Coverage:
• Hiking Distance: 10 km/6 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Zone: Low Alpine Zone/High Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

Today’s hike is relatively short and designed for acclimatization. After breakfast, we’ll leave Barranco and begin the steep ascent up the Barranco Wall.

At the top of the wall, you'll be rewarded with views of Heim Glacier, and you’ll find yourself above the clouds. The trail continues, winding up and down through the Karanga Valley until we reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the Karanga Camp.

Day Coverage:
• Hiking Distance: 7 km/5 miles
• Hiking Time: Seven hours
• Zone: High Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

Today we continue our hike up to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit, which provides stunning views of the summit from various angles. Upon arrival at the camp, we will rest, have dinner, and prepare for the summit day ahead.

Day Coverage:
• Hiking Distance: 6 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: Three hours
• Zone: High Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak (Summit) - Mweka Camp

After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, we’ll begin our summit climb around midnight, when the lava ash is still frozen, making the trek easier.

We’ll ascend towards Stella Point on the crater rim, moving between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers in a north-westerly direction and navigating through heavy scree. At Stella Point, we will take a short break and be rewarded with an incredible sunrise. Faster hikers may catch the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, we’ll continue the one-hour ascent to the summit, encountering snow along the way. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak, you will stand at the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and all of Africa!

After taking in the views at the summit, we’ll begin our descent to Mweka Camp, with a stop at Barafu for lunch. You will spend your last evening on the mountain at Mweka Camp.

Main Destination:

Mt Kilimanjaro Summit

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha

After breakfast, we’ll continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will be helpful. Shorts and t-shirts are typically sufficient but be sure to keep your rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

Our vehicle will be waiting for you at the Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel or the airport.

Day Coverage:
Hiking Distance: 9 km/5.5 miles
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Zone: Rainforest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.